THE BALLAD OF THE OLD RA

with a nod and thanks to S/Sgt. Barry Sadler

***************

We put a tiger’s head on that man’s chest
For we knew he was a VIET MY best!
Ten thousand men took the test that day
But only he made the old RA!

We pinned a tiger’s head on that lady’s breast
For we knew she was a VIET MY best!
Ten thousand gals took the test that day
But only she made the old RA!

We would have won that dreadful fray
If only they had let us stay.
But they thought they brought a better way,
With bigger bangs and higher pay,
And no need for the old RA.
But their overtime, Hondas and hairspray
In that cruel war just wouldn’t play
Nor match the spirit of the old RA.

And now, lest anyone forget
If they’d played our way, we’d spend every Tet
Buying fruits and flowers on old Nguyen Hue
Slurping Pho in a small café, telling tales of the old RA.

Though forty years have come and gone
We’d be there yet in old Saigon
For the old RA’s still fit and strong,
Waiting for the Clarion call, at the ready, Tigers all!

In today’s mad world when problems huge arise
That the Bushies need to minimize,
They should simply kneel and pray,
Send a few marines and the old RA!

When it’s time down here for our final rest
We’ll soar on high, the VIET MY best
And proudly hear St. Peter say,
“Come on in – enjoy your stay,
Even Heaven needs the old RA!”

BF – Sequim,WA – August 18, 2003